Defense Of The Demon Realm

I was inside a room in the castle with Stella.

“Is there anyone nearby, Stella?”

“Yes, I have searched with my Clairvoyance, and there were no suspicious individuals. You may speak freely, my Demon Lord.”

Stella nodded.

What we were about to discuss was the defense plan for the Demon Realm. Since the conversation would involve my knowledge as a Hero, it would be bad if other demons overheard it.

“Let’s organize the situation… but before that, may I take off the mask? It’s stifling to wear.”

“You may. However, please put it back on immediately if anyone approaches.”

“Understood.”

Nodding to Stella, I removed the mask.

Even though I had been resurrected as a Demon Lord—as a demon—my appearance was the same as when I was human. I didn’t have elongated fangs or claws, nor did I have horns or wings. Reflected in Stella’s eyes, I was simply a forty-two-year-old middle-aged man.

I really need to shave this stubble… I caught myself thinking.

“My Demon Lord?”

“No, it’s nothing. Shall we begin?”

I spoke to the puzzled Stella.

“Let’s confirm the situation once more.”

It all began a few days ago when a hundred chosen Heroes invaded the Demon Realm. Lyle and I were among those hundred. Five holes were pierced in the barrier separating the human and demon worlds, and from there, we split into five units to invade.

“Each unit headed for the Demon Castle, but the unit I was in was wiped out except for me and Lyle. It was the route that led straight to the castle, after all.”

Lyle is currently missing as well. I wonder what happened to him after the battle with Demon Lord Yurisha. But right now, I have to think about the present rather than Lyle.

“What is the status of the other four units?”

“We sent troops to intercept them, but it appears three of the Demon Commanders have already been slain.”

Demon Commanders—the direct aides of the Demon Lord. Including Stella, there were seven of them. In other words, only four aides currently survive.

“Regarding the three besides myself: first, the Beast Emperor Gigantroar Zegart and the Undead King Lord Undead Regal are currently invading the human world. The remaining one, Dream Demon Princess Dead Charm Feria, went to intercept the Heroes but was defeated and is currently missing.”

Stella continued.

“I was also wounded in the previous battle, and my magical power has not yet returned.”

Come to think of it, she mentioned something like that before the battle yesterday. In other words, there isn’t a single Demon Commander capable of fighting right now.

“I’ll go out and drive them away one unit at a time.”

It was a simple policy that could hardly be called a strategy. However, considering the Demon Lord’s overwhelming stats, it would be the quickest way for me to suppress the four battlefields in order. Most importantly—it would prevent unnecessary deaths.

For the demons.

…And for the humans.

I could use the ‘Homing Ray’ from before, but that would almost certainly result in kills. Besides, unlike autonomous-type Miracle Armaments which possess only simple intent, it’s unknown if ‘Homing Ray’ would be effective against Heroes. I should go to the sites directly.

“You personally, my Lord?”

Stella looked surprised.

“If we send the soldiers, they might be unilaterally slaughtered.”

Just like in yesterday’s battle.

“But it is dangerous.”

“You know my level, don’t you? If possible, I’ll send the humans back to their world without hurting them. After that—well, I’ll decide once I’m there.”

“Then at least allow me to accompany you.”

Stella stood up.

“My combat ability has not returned, but if it comes to it, I can at least serve as your shield.”

“No. I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself.”

I spoke firmly.

“All demons are like tools to the Demon Lord. There is no need to care for a tool.”

Stella shook her head sadly.

“You are not tools.”

I put strength into my voice.

“Therefore, I do not permit you to throw away your life for my sake.”

“My Demon Lord…!”

Stella gasped.

“It’s an order.”

“…Understood.”

Stella nodded while looking down.

“However, the Demon Realm is an unfamiliar place to you. Please allow me to accompany you as your guide.”

Stella looked me in the eye. She looked as though she wouldn’t back down on this point. In fact, if I went alone, I might get lost. …I got lost inside the castle, after all.

“Fine. Then come with me.”

“Yes.”

A faint smile touched Stella’s lips.

“We depart immediately. To the battle with the Heroes.”

Though, I’m not fond of the idea of slaughter. Putting aside the ones from yesterday, there are some fine individuals among the Heroes—

“…No, actually, there probably aren’t many.”

Recalling my life as a Hero until now, I gave a small shrug. Heroes are special beings chosen by divine armaments. As saviors of the world, they are privileged in every way and praised by many.

Those who let it go to their heads and act superior. Those who use their position to oppress the weak. And those who use that immense power to kill demons in a mocking way.

Of course, it’s not that there aren’t noble Heroes at all, but…

“Anyway, I’ll think about it once I’m at the scene…”

I stood up with a sigh and put on my mask. As I thought, the prospect of my enemies being Heroes doesn’t make me feel good.

I traveled through the air with Stella on the back of a Magic Dragon. Normally, there would be a select dragon for the Demon Lord’s use, but apparently, it had fled during the chaos of the previous battle. So, the one we were riding now was a spare. Still, it soared through the sky at considerable speed, and we arrived at the battlefield in about an hour.

The western region of the Demon Realm. A wasteland stretched out below, and a reddish-black crack ran through the air. A hole had been opened in the barrier protecting the realm. Below us, demon soldiers were fighting several Heroes.

“There! Get blown away, demons!”

Among them, the most physically massive Hero swung down a giant axe.

“Crush them, Behemoth!”

A huge fissure opened in the ground where the axe struck. It was a massive crack, at least ten meters deep. The power was incredible.

“U-uwaaaaaagh…!”

Over a dozen demon soldiers screamed as they fell into the fissure.

“Energy Hand.”

I chanted the spell while still atop the dragon. Arms made of magical energy extended from the void. I plucked the falling demons with my fingers and pulled them back up.

“We’re landing, Stella.”

“Yes.”

Stella steered the dragon, and we descended. The demon soldiers I had just saved looked at Stella and me with shocked faces as we landed on the ground.

“A-are you…”

“The Demon Lord personally strikes down the Heroes. You lot, fall back.”

Stella, attending by my side, spoke to the soldiers.

“The… the Demon Lord…?”

“I will drive them away.”

With that, I stepped forward. I looked at the giant Hero and performed a ‘Status Display.’

Name: Jade

Class: Warrior-type Hero

Total Level: 121

HP: 860

MP: 000

Attack: 672

Defense: 540

Evasion: 215

Accuracy: 573

Equipment: Miracle Armament ‘Behemoth’

Skills: - Fissure Strike LV 13

Grand Grappling LV 11

Fortitude LV 15

Warrior-type Heroes are the type that, instead of having special abilities, excel in close-quarters combat stats like power and speed.

“A power-fighter, just as he looks.”

“You certainly seem to have incredible magic power, but! How about in close combat!?”

Hero Jade shouldered his giant axe and charged at incredible speed. He was fast—.

“Shatter, Demon Lord!”

With a roar, he swung the axe down, and I caught it with one hand. It was indeed a heavy and intense strike. If I were still human, I wouldn’t have been able to catch it or even parry it. But now…

“It… it won’t move…!?”

Jade groaned, his face turning bright red. Bundles of muscle bulged in his thick arms, but the axe I held didn’t budge an inch.

“Unfortunately, the difference between us is the level itself.”

I spoke coldly. To begin with, since the levels are in a different league, every stat—power and speed included—is in a different league. It wasn’t a matter of whether my version of the Demon Lord was better at magic or not; it was a matter of basic scale.

“Jade!”

“Let go of our comrade!”

The other Heroes charged with swords and spears in hand. However, the attacks they unleashed were easily blown away by the magical barrier I deployed.

“Hurricane.”

The wind magic I activated as a counter blew the Heroes away all at once. Even if they are the elite among Heroes, they are powerless before me, the Demon Lord.

“Curse you, Demon Lord…!”

“Avatar of evil, we shall slay you…!”

The Heroes stood up weakly. Their words were noble, but their true feelings were likely elsewhere.

“So, you intend to obtain the title of ‘Demon Lord Slayer’ and live a life of luxury and splendor?”

I could tell, somehow, from the atmosphere. I’ve seen many people just like them during my time as a human.

“Wh-what…!?”

The Heroes’ faces stiffened. As I thought, I hit the mark.

“Gravely foolish ones blinded by greed. In what way are you Heroes?”

I wonder what kind of expression I was making under my mask. Anger? Or sadness? I didn’t know myself.

“Leave.”

I held my hand out toward the ground. The magical energy that burst forth from it split the earth.

“Th-this is—”

“I cannot see the bottom of the hole… what a strike…!”

The Heroes faltered. It was a fissure so deep that Jade’s previous attack paled in comparison.

“Leave now. Otherwise, I will erase every last one of you.”

“Guh…!”

“R-remember this!”

“We still have the strongest ‘Sacred Edges’ in reserve! They will surely come to kill you…!”

Sacred Edges. The four strongest Heroes who wield Seraph-class Miracle Armaments. I’ve heard rumors of them before. In my long life as a Hero, I only ever met one of them. Though I was one of the highest-ranked Heroes when I was human, they were on a completely different dimension of combat ability. For some reason, they weren’t chosen for this ‘Hundred Heroes’ mission, but—

“No matter who comes, they are but dust before my power.”

I spoke arrogantly. I tried to sound as majestic as possible.

“I will not forgive those who invade the Demon Realm and harm its people. Whether they be Heroes—or even gods.”

“Demon Lord…!”

“Blasphemer who fears not even the gods!”

Looking at the cursing Heroes through my mask, I activated ‘Energy Hand’ once again. I plucked them up with the magical hands and tossed them through the hole in the barrier.

“Exiled to the human world. Don’t ever come back.”

“That was magnificent, my Demon Lord.”

Stella leaned in toward me.

“Furthermore, your ‘Demon Lordliness’ has been polished. You have an evil aura that makes it impossible to believe you were once human.”

“That… is a compliment, right?”

“Of course.”

Stella nodded, a smile touching her sharp, beautiful features.

Well, whatever…

“Now then, time to repair the barrier.”